Units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck 12 Russian tankers, one tugboat, and one bulk carrier in the waters of the Sea of Azov, as well as an oil terminal in Rostov region.
This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
"During the night of July 9, as part of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a number of important military and military-economic targets of the enemy. In particular, 12 tankers, one tugboat, and one bulk carrier belonging to the Russian Federation were hit in the waters of the Sea of Azov," the statement said.
The extent of the damage caused and the results of the strikes are being clarified.
The targeted vessels were used, among other purposes, to supply fuel and lubricants to Russian military groupings, as well as to transport oil and petroleum products in circumvention of international sanctions. They support energy exports, which are one of the key sources of financing for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces also struck the "Yug Rusi" oil terminal in Bataysk, Rostov region. A fire was reported in the area of the facility. The extent of the damage and the results of the strike are being assessed.
"The facility provides transshipment of petroleum products for export and is used to supply fuel and lubricants to Russian military groupings operating in the southern direction, as well as to generate foreign currency revenues used to finance armed aggression against Ukraine," the General Staff stated.
A Russian military ammunition depot near Sorokyne in the Luhansk region was also hit.
